Overview

Internal hard disks connect to your computer's motherboard using an IDE interface or SATA interface. Most new hard drives come with either an IDE or SATA connection cable, depending on the type of drive.

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1. Turn off your computer, disconnect the power, and remove your computer¿s computer's cover. If you have a laptop, remove the battery from the computer as well as check the information from the manufacturer to find out if there is a panel you can remove to access the hard disk.

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3. Insert the new hard disk and connect it to the same cables that are in the same places as the hard disk you removed. One cable connects the disk to the computer¿s computer's power supply, and the other cable connects the disk to the computer¿s computer's motherboard.

To add a new internal hard disk (without removing an existing disk)

1. Turn off your computer, disconnect the power, and remove your computer¿s computer's cover. If you have a laptop, remove the battery from the computer as well as check the information from the manufacturer to find out if there is a panel you can remove to access the hard disk.

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3. Connect one cable from the computer¿s computer's power supply to the power connector on the back of the hard disk.

4. Depending on what type of hard disk you have, connect the IDE cable or SATA cable from the back of the disk to the IDE or SATA connector on the computer¿s computer's motherboard. IDE cables are wide and flat with large connectors, while SATA cables are thin with small connectors. For more information, check the information that came with the hard disk.

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If you plan to use the new hard disk as a secondary disk (one that does not contain Windows), you should be able to see the new hard disk drive the next time you start your computer and log on to Windows. After Windows starts, click the Start button Picture of the Windows Start button, click Computer, and then look for your new drive. The letter assigned to the drive will depend on your computer¿s computer's configuration. If you don't see the new hard disk drive, try looking for it in Computer Management.

If you are using Windows 8, after Windows starts, click the Windows start button then click on the Search icon on the top right hand corner and search Everywhere for "This PC" and then look for your new drive. 

1. Open Computer Management by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, clicking Administrative Tools, and then double-clicking Computer Management. ¿ Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

2. In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management, and then look for the new drive.

Windows 8

1. Click on Windows Start icon on the bottom left hand side of Desktop, search for Control Panel, click on System and Security, click on Administrative Tools and then double-click on Computer Management. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

2. In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management, and then look for the new drive.

You'll probably have to format the hard disk before you can use it. For instructions, check here. Follow these same instructions to format an old hard disk that contains data you want to erase.

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